Today’s vehicles are safer than and that is by no accident. Since the 1960s, car manufacturers have been continuously working to add more safety features to keep drivers and passengers alike, safer inside of automobiles. This process has become two-fold, beginning with trying to safeguard people in the event of an accident and now has transformed into using technology to help prevent them before they even happen. Below are some of the ways manufacturers continue on this quest by expanding on previous advancements and with exciting, new technology.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Adaptive cruise control is an intuitive technology that utilizes the cruise control already equipped in vehicles with sensors and computing power to adjust the speed of your vehicle to go faster or slower according to the speed of the vehicle in front of you. Advanced systems can even slow or stop your vehicle when needed in traffic jams and then accelerate for you as traffic allows.

Forward Collision Warning

These systems are designed to scan the road ahead to alert drivers of a hazard in the way in order to give them more time to attempt to avoid it. They do this with warning tones, haptic feedback and/or visual alerts to let you know there is danger ahead.

Automatic Emergency Braking

In conjunction, Automatic Emergency Braking systems alert drivers to the dangers of an imminent crash and helps apply maximum braking capacity of the car in order to avoid it. Sometimes referred to as Front Collision Warning Systems, this automation can vary between manufacturers as to what it detects, including other vehicles that are slowing, those that are stopped and with some, even pedestrians.

Blind Spot Detection

Blind Spot Detection utilizes radar sensors to monitor the area directly to the side of the vehicle and behind it, then alerts the driver that there is a vehicle in those locations in order to avoid a collision caused by changing lanes. The alert is commonly showcased with a yellow indicator in the side mirror, lit when it senses a car is in the blindspot and flashes if the turn signal has been activated.

Automatic High Beams

This innovative feature automatically switches your high beams to low when approaching another vehicle regardless if it is in the same lane ahead of you or coming towards you. Additionally, Automatic High Beams will turn your high beams back on after they have passed and no one is ahead of you any longer.

Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist

Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist alerts drivers when their vehicle is crossing lane markings by audible, visual or haptic warnings and offers assistance with corrective steering and/or braking from the vehicle automatically.

Rear Cross Traffic Assist

This safety feature assists you while your vehicle is backing up and going less than 5mph. The Rear Cross Traffic Assist system does this by detecting other vehicles approaching from the right and left rear of the vehicle and give you a warning by flashing a warning indicator light in the side mirrors and giving a warning sound.

Rear Automatic Braking System

Rear Automatic Braking Systems help the driver avoid an accident by detecting stationary objects when backing up and gives warnings to the driver, even applying the brakes if necessary to avoid hitting them.

Lane Centering Assist

Lane centering is a similar safety feature to lane departure warning, but rather than simply warn the driver that they are crossing the lane edge, it keeps the car centered in the lane. Together with adaptive cruise control, this feature can allow unassisted driving for a few seconds.

Facial Recognition Software

Facial Recognition Software watches the driver’s face to make sure they have their eyes on the road and if the system detects an inattentive pilot, it will sound an alert and turn off the adaptive cruise control.

Post Collision Braking

This is a passive safety feature which automatically applies the brakes after it detects the airbag sensors have released and that a collision is occurring during the initial impact of a crash. By applying the brakes right away, the system prevents further damage and injury which could occur through the continuing motion of the vehicle due to the crash momentum.

Pre-safe System

It may sound straight out of a science fiction novel but Pre-safe Systems works to prepare and protect passengers in an accident, before it even happens. The system is able to sense when a collision is unavoidable thanks to sensors placed throughout the vehicle, which function with multiple other safety systems. Once an incoming collision is detected, the systems act to prepare you for it by tightening front seat belts, adjusting front head restraints and emitting a “pink sound” to prepare your eardrums for the loud sound of a crash.

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Check out our reviews online and buy with confidence!! Family Owned & Operated and with Financing Available, we stand behind our Vehicles and our Warranty so you can be assured your used Car, Truck, Van or SUV will be reliable! Broadmoor Motors is your local choice for Car Sales in the greater Hastings, Middleville, Caledonia, Grand Rapids, Wayland, Byron Center, Dorr, Hopkins, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Lansing, Lake Odesa, Kentwood, Holland, Zeeland, Moline, Cutlerville, Wyoming, Hudsonville, Grandville, Jenison, Hamilton, Ionia and Allegan. Ask about our BMG Protection Plan, this is not an aftermarket product! area. Let Broadmoor Motors save you time and money when buying your next quality, Pre-Owned Car, Family Minivan, All Wheel Drive SUV, Commercial Van or Work Truck. Whether you need to replace your current car, minivan, truck or SUV with a great used vehicle, we can help you out. Broadmoor Motors is here for all your Car Sales, and Auto Service needs in the Byron Center, Kentwood, Caledonia, Middleville, Hastings, greater Grand Rapids, Wayland and Barry County area. With three locations to serve you in Wayland, Hastings and Caledonia, we’re here for all your Sales & Service needs. Give us a call at 616.698.9595 in Caledonia, 269.397.2400 in Wayland or 269.320.6304 in Hastings to see how we can get you back on the road!

Driving in West Michigan during the winter can be challenging and many car buyers turn to purchasing a vehicle that can give them an edge on the snow-covered Grand Rapids roads. Once a less common occurrence, 4WD and AWD vehicles now make up 45% of vehicles on the road today and their added power in slippery conditions. While shopping for a vehicle, you might hear the words All Wheel Drive and 4 Wheel Drive used interchangeably but are they really the same thing? Deciding which one works best for your needs depends largely on knowing what the benefits and drawbacks are to each before choosing.

AWD

There are two different types, full-time AWD and part-time AWD, which work similarly in function with no input from the driver by delivering torque to all four wheels via differentials, multiple clutches and viscous couplings. Full-time AWD delivers this continuously while part-time offers it only as needed and drives in Front Wheel Drive when it is not.

Benefits

One of the biggest advantages to having an All Wheel Drive vehicle is the peace of mind in not having to worry about turning 4WD on and off manually. Since it’s not always easy to tell when the road conditions are slippery, All Wheel Drive vehicles take the guesswork out of the equation. Because AWD vehicles are always monitoring how much traction each wheel has at the moment, it can allocate power when and where it needs it most. This advancement in technology has created vehicles that are better at providing sportier handling on all types of road conditions including snow, ice, rain and sleet.

Drawbacks

While AWD vehicles do improve traction, they simply cannot afford the same towing and hauling capabilities that many 4WD vehicles can provide in lower speeds, nor do they perform the same in off-road situations. In addition, they add weight and complexity to the engine’s systems which increases their price tag and can lower their fuel efficiency.

4WD

Like All Wheel Drive, 4 Wheel Drive vehicles are designed to send torque to all of the vehicle’s wheels at the same time to increase traction when needed. But most 4WD vehicles require someone to manually switch them into this drive while offering the ability to switch between two ranges of 4WD which are HI or LO. 4WD Hi allows your vehicle to send power to all four wheels while going faster over slippery surfaces such as snowy roads, loose dirt, ice or gravel. It just provides less power to each of the wheels while doing so. But if you need to tow something that is heavy or need to get over an obstacle, you have the capability to shift to 4WD Lo which gives more power to the wheels but moves the wheels at a slower speed.

Benefits

While All Wheel Drive vehicles also provide torque to all wheels over Front Wheel Drive, 4 Wheel Drive systems tend to be more robust and can generally handle more rugged terrain over AWD. 4WD can improve traction in dangerous and difficult driving conditions such as snow, ice, loose gravel, over rocks and uneven surfaces.

Drawbacks

As with their All Wheel Drive counterparts, 4×4 vehicles have more complicated drive shaft systems, making them more expensive to buy and to repair if they become broken. Similarly, the cost of driving a 4 Wheel Drive can be more costly since it takes more fuel to power all four wheels at one time. Additionally, 4WD can feel awkward at times, such as in turns while engaged, since all the wheels will turn turning at the same rate of speed but trying to cover different rates of the ground. But while 4×4 is engaged, the tires are not permitted to turn at different speeds and this leads to that ‘jerky’ feeling you may have experienced before.

While they may not be right for everyone’s lifestyle or budget, All Wheel Drive and 4×4 Vehicles continue to gain popularity in different styles, makes and models. If you find yourself searching for your next used SUV, minvan, truck or car to fit your needs and your budget, we invite you to check out our current inventory of Used Trucks, Vans, SUVs and Cars. At Broadmoor Motors, we specialize in finding the right used minivan, truck, SUV or car to fit your personal or business needs, all while giving you the best deal we can on both your purchase and trade in. Our family has been in the car business for over 60 years and continues to be family owned and operated in all of our Caledonia, Hastings and Wayland locations with financing available to those who qualify. We will find you the right vehicle to fit both your budget and your needs in a pressure-free environment.

Check out our reviews online and buy with confidence!! Family Owned & Operated and with Financing Available, we stand behind our Vehicles and our Warranty so you can be assured your used Car, Truck, Van or SUV will be reliable! Broadmoor Motors is your local choice for Car Sales in the greater Hastings, Middleville, Caledonia, Grand Rapids, Wayland, Byron Center, Dorr, Hopkins, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Lansing, Lake Odesa, Kentwood, Holland, Zeeland, Moline, Cutlerville, Wyoming, Hudsonville, Grandville, Jenison, Hamilton, Ionia and Allegan. Ask about our BMG Protection Plan, this is not an aftermarket product! area. Let Broadmoor Motors save you time and money when buying your next quality, Pre-Owned Car, Family Minivan, All Wheel Drive SUV, Commercial Van or Work Truck. Whether you need to replace your current car, minivan, truck or SUV with a great used vehicle, we can help you out. Broadmoor Motors is here for all your Car Sales, and Auto Service needs in the Byron Center, Kentwood, Caledonia, Middleville, Hastings, greater Grand Rapids, Wayland and Barry County area. With three locations to serve you in Wayland, Hastings and Caledonia, we’re here for all your Sales & Service needs. Give us a call at 616.698.9595 in Caledonia, 269.397.2400 in Wayland or 269.320.6304 in Hastings to see how we can get you back on the road!

Handing over the keys to the family car to your teen can be a scary prospect to many parents but doing so when the roads are covered with ice, sleet or snow is even tougher. While you can’t safeguard against every situation they may encounter while behind the wheel, preparing them for winter driving is certainly a necessity. Here are tips for your teen & winter driving… everything they need to know in the snow.

Getting The Vehicle Ready

It might be second nature to you but to your teen, knowing how to safely warm up their vehicle before taking off or how to safely remove ice and snow from the vehicle could be something they’ve never even thought about! When starting their vehicle to idle, talk to them about the dangers of doing so in an enclosed space like a garage with the door down. And while fuel injected engines do not need to warm up for extended periods of time like the old carburetor relics of the past it can become necessary to run it when frost is on the windshield and windshield wipers in order to get ice and snow completely removed. Show them how to scrape the windshield with an ice scraper without damaging the wiper blades or the vehicle’s paint and how to carefully lift the blades to clear ice and snow from below. In addition, explain to them the importance of clearing all the snow off of their vehicle, including on the hood, rooftop, trunk, headlights, taillights and license plate. Remind them that this is not only what’s safe but what is required by Michigan law.

Driving On The Road

One of the best ways your teen driver can lower their risk of getting into an accident during the winter is to simply slow down when roads begin to get slick or snow covered in West Michigan. Begin by teaching them that any maneuver will take longer in slippery conditions including accelerating, braking and turning so they aren’t surprised by their vehicles unresponsiveness. Then take them out on short drives while you’re in the vehicle in order to coach them through the experience. Remind them to increase their distance behind other vehicles to accommodate for longer braking times and to accelerate slowly at lights and stop signs to maintain traction. Additionally, they should know that they should never use cruise control when roads are wet with rain, snow or ice which can lead to losing control of the vehicle. If they do begin to skid, remind them that they should always steer in the direction that they want to go.

Common Pitfalls

It may be difficult for young drivers to understand how normal actions or locations can be treacherous in wintry conditions in Grand Rapids but giving them a heads up before they head out can help solidify in them new habits that can keep them safer. Talk to them about bridges becoming icy before normal roadways, as well as underpasses on the highway. Remind them to avoid increasing their acceleration rapidly while driving on them or while trying to gain momentum on a hill which could cause their tires to spin and lose traction.

Vehicle Tips

To always be prepared may be the motto for Boy Scouts but we could all take note on how that can help every driver in West Michigan. Keep your gas tank at least half full during the long winter months in Grand Rapids and make sure there is the recommended amount of tire pressure at all times. While they may not think it’s important or necessary, talk to them about wearing or at least bringing a warm hat, gloves and coat in the vehicle in case it breaks down or in the event they become stranded, as well as keeping blankets stored in the vehicle. Additionally parents should be sure to inspect their teen’s tires on their vehicle to make ensure they have enough tread to handle the increased need for traction, which in winter should be no less than 6/32″.

If you find yourself searching for your next used SUV, minvan, truck or car to fit your needs and your budget, we invite you to check out our current inventory of Used Trucks, Vans, SUVs and Cars. At Broadmoor Motors, we specialize in finding the right used minivan, truck, SUV or car to fit your personal or business needs, all while giving you the best deal we can on both your purchase and trade in. Our family has been in the car business for over 60 years and continues to be family owned and operated in all of our Caledonia, Hastings and Wayland locations with financing available to those who qualify. We will find you the right vehicle to fit both your budget and your needs in a pressure-free environment.

Check out our reviews online and buy with confidence!! Family Owned & Operated and with Financing Available, we stand behind our Vehicles and our Warranty so you can be assured your used Car, Truck, Van or SUV will be reliable! Broadmoor Motors is your local choice for Car Sales in the greater Hastings, Middleville, Caledonia, Grand Rapids, Wayland, Byron Center, Dorr, Hopkins, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Lansing, Lake Odesa, Kentwood, Holland, Zeeland, Moline, Cutlerville, Wyoming, Hudsonville, Grandville, Jenison, Hamilton, Ionia and Allegan. Ask about our BMG Protection Plan, this is not an aftermarket product! area. Let Broadmoor Motors save you time and money when buying your next quality, Pre-Owned Car, Family Minivan, All Wheel Drive SUV, Commercial Van or Work Truck. Whether you need to replace your current car, minivan, truck or SUV with a great used vehicle, we can help you out. Broadmoor Motors is here for all your Car Sales, and Auto Service needs in the Byron Center, Kentwood, Caledonia, Middleville, Hastings, greater Grand Rapids, Wayland and Barry County area. With three locations to serve you in Wayland, Hastings and Caledonia, we’re here for all your Sales & Service needs. Give us a call at 616.698.9595 in Caledonia, 269.397.2400 in Wayland or 269.320.6304 in Hastings to see how we can get you back on the road!